After all this rain, everything is so healthy and vibrant! Lots of my trees and shrubs have put on several inches of growth in the last week. This is a time for some plants to start their blooming period, so let's see 'em!
Here we have Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldstrum', Salvia greggii, and Turkey Tangle Frogfruit, all blooming like mad!
Gallardia aristata has not stopped blooming since they began in mid-spring, and they'll bloom 'till the first frost. I just keep them deadheaded and they keep giving me great color. Anyone who would like seeds from these, just let me know, I've got plenty. The bumble bees and butterflies love them!
This is the Snowbush that Randy gave me in April.
Flame Acanthus blooming like crazy.
Hot Pink Four O'Clocks
This last one is a shot of one of 2 butterflies that were going crazy over the frogfruit yesterday. Anyone know what kind it is?
Now, let's see yours...
Oh, lucky you! It's a Queen, which is kin to the Monarch and uses milkweed for a host plant. They especially love Gregg's Mistflower to nectar on, BTW. I've got the plants they like, but no Queens.
Yes, it is a lovely Queen, it looks like you are doing great T.J.
Josephine.
BEAUTIFUL flowers, TJ!! Everything looks healthy and very very happy in your yard.
Here are a few of my Zinnias.
Carla
Cowpen Daisy (which is quickly turning into my new favorite plant).
Carla
Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia). I planted it for the butterflies, and am delighted to see that the Hummingbirds love it as well. And one day a female Baltimore Oriole was taking seeds from it. This could be my 2nd favorite plant. :-)
Carla
Broncbuster--your blooms are beautiful! What is a Snowbush? It's lovely and I can always use a bright one for dark corners.
I love the contrast they give with other plants.
Here's an Artemesia with a Firebush.
I love my Sun Impatiens
And we have happy butterflies.
I don't know what kind he is......but he's gorgeous.
MorganC that is a beautiful pic. Is your Artemesia a Silver King variety?
Darkmoon--I do not know what kind of Artemesia.....I know it grows like a weed!
Isn't it great with darker plants around it? And I use it for all kinds of bouquets inside too.
Oh, that's a Tiger Swallowtail and a Pipevine Swallowtail...how pretty! I guess I was wrong earlier. I DO have a Queen around...on a Western Ironweed.
And here's a bloom on Snow-on-the-Mountain.
And the Incense Passionflower vine is trying to take over a rosemary bush.
Oh Linda, I just love the Snow-on-the-Mountain. Does it re-seed itself? How large does it get in this heat we have? And the big question.....sun or shade??
Your Passionflower is also stunning....and don't you just love how all the butterflies pose for our picture taking pleasure? :-)
Morgan, thanks for you kind remarks! The snowbush is a bit of a mystery to me, as I have not been able to find any info on it. I'm waiting to see if it will survive the winter here. Your butterflies are awsome! As for the Snow-on-the-Mountain, they are native wildflowers, they are annuals, they are very xeric, and can be planted in full to partial shade, they are poisonous. Around here they cover alot of pastures because cows and horses won't eat them. Very nice plant, though.
Linda, that's a beautiful shot of the SotM!
Loonie, I don't know what's going on with my Cowpen Daisies, but they are only about 8"-9" tall at this point with no buds or any sign of making any. I planted the seeds back in the spring!
Thanks everyone!
TJ, did you try whacking those Cowpens with something? :-) I planted mine in the spring, too, and they were "puny" for the longest time. I'll admit, I did give them lots of water in the early going. But once they took off, they *really* took off.
Carla
Just thought I'd add another "weed" to the group.
Annette, which plant is that, is it Porterweed?
It says Porter Weed in the bottom left corner. Is that a Texas native?
Carla, what do you mean "whacking"? Like with a weedeater?
No Porter Weed is not a Texas native, but a very nice plant.
TJ, a couple of months ago my Cowpen Daisy just wasn't doing anything. Then I accidentally whacked up against it with the garden hose. I mean, I hit it so hard I thought for sure I damaged it. The next thing I knew, it was growing like crazy. Maybe you need to whack yours with a hose or step on it or shake it or something. I guess if it's the only thing that will grow in a cow pasture, it must enjoy the abuse?
Carla
On the Snow-on-the-Mountain, it is 1 to 3 feet tall. One thing I've learned is to pull off just the tip of the plant while it's still fairly small to encourage branching. Some won't branch much and that leads to less blooms. And they can reseed...or seeds can be collected and planted where you want it later on.
Bronchbuster-love your Gallardia Aristata. This is the my first time to this web site. So excuse my clumsiness. Would love some seed, if you have any left-over.
I didn't see where you tripped ggengle lol....welcome aboard! There is a lot of DG (DavesGarden) active subscribers in your area so don't be a stranger. I see plant swaps in your future.
Western Ironweed beside the tall Rudbeckia 'Herbstsonne'. A nice punch of color.
Sheila, I am glad to see your Ironweed doing so well.
Josephine.
I love it!!! I have it in several places in the yard, but that bunch is doing really well. Just needed the butterflies, as you know.
very lovely pictures everyone, I will have to get a snowbush shown by TJ, and morganc artemesia, I also like Annett-M porterweed.
I have yellow hardy hibiscus blooming
red rain lily
Desert Willow
Not much blooming in my yard.
desert bird of paradise
Are'nt we up early ! Summer Pansy.
